Gravelly Ford Auto Tour
All spots for this field trip have been filled. Submissions have ended.
Join us on an off-road tour to visit historic wagon ruts and Emigrant graves in the area.
On Friday June 6th a one-day limited participation auto tour is planned to view segments of the California National Historic Trail leading to Gravelly Ford an emigrant camping site and crossing of the Humboldt River where thousands of emigrants in covered wagons traveled westward between 1849 and 1870.
The tour will view pristine trail ruts and swales left by Ox drawn wagons and the site of the “Unknown Emigrant Graves” at Gravelly Ford now subject to Conservation Easements. The tour site is mostly on private property on the east side of Nevada route 306, part of the Horseshoe Ranch, owned by Nevada Gold Mines.
The tour will be limited to 10 vehicles (high clearance 4WD required), those without a 4WD vehicle are welcome based on available passenger space. Those selected to drive should have a good set of tires, a full tank of gas, a spare tire and a jack.
The event will start at 8:00 am in the Southfork Room at the California Trail Interpretive Center. We begin with tour instructions, signing of waivers, a brief history on emigrant travel, how the conservation easements evolved and the showing of the video: “On the California Trail Preserving Gravelly Ford”. Further details will be emailed to accepted applicants.
You must fill out an application (see form below) to be considered eligible for the tour as the number of vehicles allowed is limited, and seating is limited to vehicle capacities. Application acceptance is not guaranteed but we will accept as many people as space allows.
Those wishing to participate should plan on appropriate clothing, it’s June in the high desert, hats, boots, sunscreen, folding chair, etc. We will be traveling on open range land, not much shade, lots of dust and cattle will be present.
There is no fee, and a box lunch, water, and snacks will be provided.
Applications will be accepted based on space availability. Notification will be no later than May 23rd.
Tour sponsored by: California Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon-California Trails Association, California Trail Heritage Alliance and Nevada Gold Mines
